Calling all the Men...Why did you start Martial Arts?? [Archive] - MartialTalk.Com

Sarah

02-21-2006, 08:38 PM

Rich Parsons

02-21-2006, 08:47 PM

I started in Martial Arts for two reasons.

1) The public answer then of to relieve stress.

2) The real answer was to learn how to hurt people without breaking them, and sending them to the hospital.

Gary Crawford

02-21-2006, 08:53 PM

I used to live in San Jose,Ca. That's where I did my Kenpo training. We lived in a rough nieghborhood where the hispanic population tended to terrorize us non-hispanics. I also learned spanish for self-defense.

Cryozombie

02-21-2006, 09:03 PM

I do it for the Chicks.

Gary Crawford

02-21-2006, 09:05 PM

I do it for the Chicks. I knew it!!! I thought someone would make that reply and I knew it had to be you!! You are my hero!

rutherford

02-21-2006, 09:10 PM

Well, since Technopunk stole my answer I guess I'll have to be truthful.

I do it to stay as close to sane as I'm likely to get. It's moving meditation, and when I'm training regularly I'm happy. When I'm not training, I'm not happy.

Pretty simple.

Cryozombie

02-21-2006, 09:26 PM

Well, since Technopunk stole my answer I guess I'll have to be truthful.

But... that is the truth. I do it to impress chicks.

So far it hasnt worked. So I keep learning.

Sarah

02-21-2006, 09:32 PM

But... that is the truth. I do it to impress chicks.

So far it hasnt worked. So I keep learning.

So do you find that it impresses girls involved in MA or non MA'ist more..??

terryl965

02-21-2006, 09:33 PM

I have stated this before, my father was the main and only reason stayed for the love of the Art.
Terry

Cryozombie

02-21-2006, 09:47 PM

So do you find that it impresses girls involved in MA or non MA'ist more..??

Did you miss the "So far it hasnt worked" part?

Most of the time when they hear that I study martial arts they think its stupid. Even my ex wife used to say to people "He studies some karate thing... he thinks hes a ninja" and then they would laugh. (Notice I said EX-wife...)

Sarah

02-21-2006, 09:57 PM

Thats interesting, most people here are quite impressed by MA'ist.. I have also found that girls that are involved in MA quite fancy Men in MA!

FearlessFreep

02-21-2006, 10:05 PM

I've said this before bt I watch a lot of bad movies and it seems like people are never quite prepared for being teleported back in time to medieval or stone age times or chased by zombies through the woods or attacked by androids on some strange planet somewhere. I figured martial arts skills would be useful to have if or when that ever happens to me

Jonathan Randall

02-21-2006, 10:07 PM

I started Judo at age five because my parents made me. :)

I re-started MA as a teen for self-defence from bullies.

I've stayed for physical fitness and self-improvement and also because it's fun! :-partyon:

shesulsa

02-21-2006, 10:12 PM

Makalakumu

02-21-2006, 10:13 PM

We have a lot of vampires and zombies in my hood and I needed to learn how to throw flaming chi balls at them. A few years ago, I learned how to fly and that was really sweet. I've been watching seagulls by Lake Superior. They will help me perfect Divebomb Kata.

"Mine. Mine. Mine."

That will be my kiai.

upnorthkyosa

ps - I started martial arts for a number of reasons other then the above. One is that I wanted to do something physical. Another, is that I like the self defense part. And the third is that it got me lots of chicks.

beau_safken

02-21-2006, 10:17 PM

FearlessFreep

02-21-2006, 10:19 PM

So if all this MA training is going for the sake of attracting females...and I've been married far longer than I've been training...does this mean that a bunch of what I'm training is really going to waste? I'll have to tell my instructur "hey, can I skip the part of class where we work on this 'chick-magnet' katas? I kinda don't think I need them"

Then again, in most of the scenarios I'm concerned with, there's always some cute slave babes or hot green alien princesses around, and like the say "what happens on Ghrcxy 5, stays on....well actually it will probably wipe out your entire species"

rutherford

02-21-2006, 10:21 PM

Did you miss the "So far it hasnt worked" part?

The idea is far better than showing them what an idiot you really are. The girlfriend asked me to "show her some stuff" so I kissed her.

Seemed to work.

FearlessFreep

02-21-2006, 10:22 PM

I started because I got my ass kicked by some kid in elementary school. Granted I got a friend out of the deal...the one that kicked the hell out of the kid that beat me. I then started learning martial arts and found I no longer had those issues as nobody wanted to test their luck. I liked that part.

So you basically are saying you started MA to be anti-social because before that you could make friends by getting your butt kicked.. and you didn't want any more friends?

stone_dragone

02-21-2006, 11:09 PM

My interest began when I was 6 and saw a Chuck Norris movie (can't rememeber wich one). Finally talked my parents into letting me start 9 years later. Haven't stopped a minute since (I've slowed down considerably at times...)

I'vce found that as far as impressing chicks...it never worked for me. Then again, it might be the face-made-for-radio that I was born with...

Makalakumu

02-21-2006, 11:20 PM

Cryozombie

02-22-2006, 12:46 AM

I'm tellin ya... its this place... I meet nice girls from all over, and I get along great with em... but not around here.

They are stuck up and aloof... and other things... even my phat ninja skillz arent good enough.

I mean, if it worked for UPNORTH... hell... it should be a breeze for me...

:D

Sorry man. Too easy.

MA-Caver

02-22-2006, 01:15 AM

Growing up in grade school I got picked on alot. Then saw some movies (notably Billy Jack and Bruce Lee's .... all in the theaters' original release).
Asked my dad if I could take lessons... $$ didn't permit that and travel because I lived in a rural area.
Then along the way met people (Brown Belts or above) who knew this or that art and learned from them, some for a few weeks others for a couple of years.
Books on MA and MA Philosophy helped alot. Then getting involved with this seminar and that and continually meeting various MA-ists.
Then it's been just that way since. Still learning to this day.

:idunno: Like Techno, it hasn't impressed any hopeful chicks.

Maltair

02-22-2006, 01:35 AM

Always wanted too, used to watch alot of kungfu movies when I was a kid.
After pushing buttons for 7 years, was starting to get flabby.
Engage the mind, was starting to feel stagnate since I wasn't learning anything.

arnisador

02-22-2006, 02:33 AM

Self-defense and exercise.

"We've been through this before, but I have learned that repetition is the very soul of the net." --From USENET

rutherford

02-22-2006, 02:47 AM

It's ok. At some point, Godwin's Law always takes over big threads.

SAVAGE

02-22-2006, 02:58 AM

I got seven shades of **** kicked out of me on the way home from school...so I took up Judo!

Bigshadow

02-22-2006, 10:36 AM

When I was teen in the 80s I was fascinated by Ninjutsu and wanted to desparately to train. I did not have the means to train nor was there anyone remotely close. It wasn't until my 30s watching my son in ATA TKD that brought back my dream to train in Ninjutsu. I immediately began to look for training and fortunately found someone nearby and I began to train and although it was not what I expected (having the dream since my teens) it was far MORE than I ever expected. Budo has changed my life forever.

lonecoyote

02-22-2006, 11:33 AM

Kung Fu Theater on USA network! Saturday and Sunday mornings at around 10 am. I was 13-14 years old, so about 23 years ago, those movies were the best! I still love old kung fu movies, couple of years ago got into the shaolin dolemite series, not just the one movie but the series put out under that name, like kung fu vs. yoga and other really trippy movies.

CuongNhuka

02-22-2006, 05:56 PM

i'm an other. my reason is self perfection

CuongNhuka

02-22-2006, 06:12 PM

Ohh. Chick magnet kata works like a dream. I'd say how but I fear the repercusions. And in Coung Nhu we call it Sui Nim Dao plus a little explination of what it's about. (LOL)

Pacificshore

02-22-2006, 06:25 PM

I voted for the movie answer...Bruce Lee of course ;)

But how I got into an actual dojo was by going along with several friends who were all into the martial arts back when I was 14. The rest as they say is history :p

Kenpodoc

02-22-2006, 06:47 PM

The first time I started was 1978 and i had watched Enter the Dragon and my hormone addled brain thought it was cool. I restarted in 1997 to work with my son but now i do it because it's fun.

Jeff

Makalakumu

02-22-2006, 07:00 PM

I mean, if it worked for UPNORTH... hell... it should be a breeze for me...

:D

Sorry man. Too easy.

It's not all its cracked up to be. Especially when the chica (now wife) chokes you out for looking down her dobak...

Sometimes chick magnet kata works too well...

evenflow1121

02-22-2006, 07:20 PM

I started martial arts as a kid right after I saw The Last Dragon for the first time. After a few classes of it, and figuring out I wasnt going to glow anytime soon, I nevertheless, decided to stick with it for self defense purposes.

Bammx2

02-22-2006, 07:33 PM

first movie I ever saw was called "kung fu Gold" with Bruce Li.
I thought to myself...
"how cool is it to be able to beat up 300 people and not
get one stain on your gold satin clothes"!

I was 6.

celtic_crippler

02-22-2006, 10:02 PM

Once I saw Mr. Speakman in "The Perfect Weapon" I was hooked like Kurt Cobaine. =)

Sarah

02-22-2006, 10:10 PM

first movie I ever saw was called "kung fu Gold" with Bruce Li.
I thought to myself...
"how cool is it to be able to beat up 300 people and not
get one stain on your gold satin clothes"!

I was 6.

For sure...it is so hard to get those pesky blood stains outta my satin clothes :)

Flatlander

02-22-2006, 10:43 PM

I started to learn self defence - kind of. Until I had been in the Martial Arts, I was not particularly assertive. I just knew damn well that I couldn't physically back up my mouth. Where I grew up, if you couldn't physically dominate, you couldn't lead. You were an actor, not a director, so to speak. So, it wasn't really a self esteem thing, I've always held myself in quite high regard. ;) It was more a practical solution to my understanding of why I wasn't assertive enough to be a leader. Do I still believe this line of reasoning? No, of course not. But, at the ripe old age of 23, I wasn't particularly wise. At least, not nearly as brilliant as I am now. :uhyeah:

I'm not entirely certain what inspired me to try it out when I saw the flyer at University.

But, I was hooked. And I found, as my skills developed, that my confidence grew. I was able to begin to assert my will. I knew that I was on the right track.

Brother John

02-22-2006, 11:26 PM

Too bad we can't put down more than one reason.
Me? The One Greatest reason? Confidence!!! I was a very unconfident young boy. Grew up out in the sticks, older brother too old to really want to play with the "little pipsqueak"... though I grew later to be taller with 2x the muscle....but he does love me, and we got along well....I was just bored and lonely. SO at age 7 my uncle hooked me up (Birthday Present for my 7th) with my first instructor (they were aquaintences). That next year I got a few lawn mowing jobs to pay for a bike and to keep paying for my own lessons.... I rode 5 miles to and 5 miles From class for several years... later, I got a car (9 years later I guess) and then drove myself. In college I took about 4 1/2 years off and then got back to it with my TRUE love ...KENPO.

So...there ya have it. It was:
#1: Low self confidence.
#2: BORED OUT OF MY MIND in Rural Kansas!!!

VERY glad I took this path...........for so many more than just these two reasons!!!!

Your Brother
John
PS: Thanks for asking. It's cool to look back and remember some-times.

Cirdan

02-23-2006, 11:28 AM

Something physical to do pretty much sums up my reasons. I am not much of a sports fan and jogging gets boring fast. I guess meeting people was another motive since I was new in town.

bydand

02-23-2006, 01:04 PM

Actually the reasons I got into the martial arts are a combination of self-defense and watched it in movies. LOL. As kids, my best friend and I were going to be the next big "Kung-Fu" stars, it didn't matter that we were both scrawny and lived in an area with NO MA schools close. We watched all the movies and by the grace of God didn't kill ourselves or each other trying to mimic what we watched (Picture a skinny little white kid and a skinny little hispanic kid beating the hell out of each other with homemade nunchucks).
When I moved away there was a Judo club in town and I started with that... WOW not at all like the movies huh?? Lost interest until I grew-up and really started looking at each art and what they could offer. I guess maturity does have it's benefits, I am now am in an art I LOVE & RESPECT.

Scott G.

Drac

02-23-2006, 02:44 PM

Wasn't very aggressive back then and always would up as a target for whatever buly was nearby...

Andrew Main

02-23-2006, 04:51 PM

I just wanted to be a badass...

CuongNhuka

02-23-2006, 05:47 PM

For sure...it is so hard to get those pesky blood stains outta my satin clothes :)

Oh La La (lol)!!! Sorry, I couldn't help myself. (now for the thing I do when ever I think I might have ticked off one of my friends) You're going to hurt me now aren't you? Should I run? I'll run. (followed by me backing away hopeing to not get punched in the gut).
also newbies that should check out there user cp for my welcoming gift: Cirdan (say isn't Oslo the capital of Norway?), Bydand, & Andrew Main.

Sweet Brighit Bless your Blade,

John

Cirdan

02-23-2006, 06:22 PM

Thanks coungnhuka. Just figured out how the user cp works :lookie:
Yep, Oslo is the capital of Norway. :viking1:

bydand

02-23-2006, 08:28 PM

bydand

02-23-2006, 08:31 PM

OOOOPS, sorry cirdan I meant to type Counguhuka not your name. My bad, read too many posts today and had the names mixed up.

Cirdan

02-23-2006, 08:36 PM

Hehe. I was wondering if I`d missed something for a moment there :lol:

DeLamar.J

02-23-2006, 10:09 PM

We have a thread going asking the Ladies of Martial Talk what there initial inspiration was to start Martial Arts....it would be interesting to see if the guys have similar reasons or are comparatively different.

http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31003 (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31003)My dad was doing it all his life, and I wanted to be like him. Then once I started getting a little older I started to enjoy it more personally instead of just doing it because my dad was.

shesulsa

02-23-2006, 11:24 PM

Cirdan; actually, I read the Admin Announcement post about self-censoring and the profanity filter so I went ahead and typed what I meant. The post said the filter would catch the words on the banned list. I figured if it wouldn't pass muster, it would be filtered out automatically, guess I was wrong.
We don't worry too much about "ass" ... it does help if we choose better wording so the filter doesn't have to work, but ... it's good to have it here. And when something slips through, we know to change it.

beauty_in_the_sai

02-24-2006, 08:18 AM

Thats interesting, most people here are quite impressed by MA'ist.. I have also found that girls that are involved in MA quite fancy Men in MA!

I did! I was very impressed with guy martial artists, especially black belts. Every time I went to a tourny, I gazed open-mouthed at them, drooling. LOL As it turns out, I married a 3rd degree black belt. Since I started martial arts, I was only drawn to martial art guys. Then, I married one. And how lucky I am, I must say!

Becky

Cirdan

02-24-2006, 11:24 AM

Does this mean chick magnet kata only works on MA chicks? :inlove:

Dalum

02-24-2006, 11:40 AM

I've said it in other threads...

I started taking MAs to find my roots somehow. I grew up here as the only one in my family born in the US. I was raised as an American, not as a Filipino. I didn't get the same things my other 3 siblings got in terms of knowing heritage. They got the short end of the stick too, I got privlidges they never were allowed to even think of as I was under a different set of rules. LOL

(BTW, I chose other.)

MJS

02-27-2006, 07:48 AM

We have a thread going asking the Ladies of Martial Talk what there initial inspiration was to start Martial Arts....it would be interesting to see if the guys have similar reasons or are comparatively different.

http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31003 (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31003)

Originally started for SD and to get in better shape. Over the course of my training, I've had the chance to be exposed to a few different arts, as well as meet many great people who have made my journey a great experience.

Mike

IcemanSK

02-27-2006, 11:13 AM

I originally started in high school because I figured the bully problem of jr high would follow me. (It didn't) It helped that it made me unique & different in school. But I was still one of those people who blended into the walls in high school. TKD just made me feel like I had a unique niche in the world.

I was hardly the "chick magnet" I am today. I attract my wife every day. That's enough for me.:)

IcemanSK

02-27-2006, 11:30 AM

In every school or gym I've trained in, I've had women instructors or fellow students that were awesome! From state TKD champs to stunt women to Boxing world champs. I've learned to never underestimate a women in the gym.:asian:

Simon Curran

03-02-2006, 11:11 AM

Initially, I got into it on the recommendation of a teacher, since I used to have a really bad problem controlling my temper.
That is going (slightly) better these days, and I continue to train cos I love it.

bushidomartialarts

03-06-2006, 01:30 PM

Long journey for me with three factors:

1. My mom sang me to sleep with songs like 'the impossible dream' -- you remember 'to fight for the right/without question or pause/to be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause'. And then I grew up reading Lord of the Rings and listening to the likes of Manowar. The word 'warrior' was important to me as long ago as I can remember.

2. Wrestled in high school and missed training of that sort of intensity.

3. Started dating a martial artist halfway through college and was introduced to the thought and philosophy behind the training.

Next thing ya know, I walk into a school run by Lee Sprague and Bill Packer, two phenomenally talented artists and warriors. The rest is 14 years of history, challenge and personal evolution.

Dronak

03-06-2006, 09:30 PM

Well, I could probably make this long or short, so I'll try to keep is somewhere in the middle. During grad school, I decided that I needed some activity to help me relieve stress. I tried some meditation, then yoga, then tai chi. The meditation was too still for me. Yoga was better, but still mostly static poses. I liked things like the sun salutation (I think it's called), moving sequences of poses better. That moved me over to tai chi. I tried learning some on my own, with books and videos, which went OK. But later I found out about a Chinese martial arts club at the school I was attending. They were going to teach long fist kung fu primarily, but would also do tai chi. I wanted to learn tai chi and decided that it would be worth taking the kung fu classes to get the tai chi classes. I did learn the tai chi I wanted, but also learned a bunch of kung fu forms, too. It worked out well. I don't practice a lot now, usually just enough to keep from completely forgetting the forms, but I am trying to resume regular tai chi practice.

kelly keltner

03-07-2006, 08:53 AM

The short answer is that I'm An absolute idiot. now 14+ years later I realize I'm a bigger idiot than before I started. I shoulda took up knitting HA HA!!!!!!!

kk

mystic warrior

03-10-2006, 01:25 AM

this may sound sad but.
I got into it because I wanted to better myself all way round.

searcher

01-24-2009, 05:05 PM

My father started my training before I knew what was going on. Next thing I knwo it is 30 years later. It has to be from getting hit in the head so much.

wushuguy

01-24-2009, 05:26 PM

I often watched Jackie Chan movies when I was a kid, so I liked kung fu. And it was also a good way to keep from getting bullied while going through school.

redantstyle

01-24-2009, 09:02 PM

they made me. quite literally.

my stepfather was an instructor and we had class all the time. they used to have to drag me into the school sometimes. i was like four or five when i started and used to throw tantrums.

then it stuck, and keep at it for a quite a while. i read everyone's reasonings and i have definately had all of those motivations, at one time or another, but the bottom line is i was essentially conditioned as a kid.

it was just a habit.

regards.

terryl965

01-25-2009, 10:20 AM

Had no choice, Dad tought in the Marines and we just had to as well. After all these years because it is just part of the routine.

Steve

01-25-2009, 10:22 AM

I started initially as a way to do something with my kids. Now I train for fun and health.

just2kicku

01-25-2009, 12:00 PM

Did you miss the "So far it hasnt worked" part?

Most of the time when they hear that I study martial arts they think its stupid. Even my ex wife used to say to people "He studies some karate thing... he thinks hes a ninja" and then they would laugh. (Notice I said EX-wife...)

Great, I met my wife at the dojo. Is that what I get to look forward to?lol
Growing up in Hawaii fighting was a daily occurence. My dad and uncle kinda made me for a while. Now I do it for exercise and just cause I love it!

7starmarc

01-26-2009, 07:10 PM

I responded Fitness, because that has been a recurring reason to keep on going, or come back to training. But the truth is I could do number of things for fitness that I also have enjoyed (running, tennis, ultimate frisbee, swimming, etc.). I could have also put Self defense, after all, who doesn't want to at least be a little more prepared?

The core reason, however, is not one listed. There is a "rightness" to training martial arts for me. The training partners. The structure of the classes. The discipline of the training. The ideal of being a warrior in some way (at least part-time, anyways). I'm not sure if I can describe the feeling of freedom and fun during sparring, even if I'm getting a bit pummelled that day.

kaizasosei

01-26-2009, 07:37 PM

I trained judo at the age around the age of 6 when i wans't particularily interested in ma but was drawn in by mom and friends.
i only became facinated on my own when i was around 12
At first i thought it looked cool but as i began learning, researching as well as practicing, i became more and more concerned with effectivness and self defense. However, the aestethic and technical side of ma has always been important to me, that is why i laid great emphasis on flexibility and agility.

Deaf Smith

01-26-2009, 09:51 PM

Well I remember it clearly. I was in college and I saw a bill board with John Chu's flyer. I was curious and I went to the gym where they had class. I thought the green belt was the teacher!!! That's how little I knew about martial arts.

I scraped together $20 bucks and the rest is history.

It wasn't for SD, it wasn't for meeting people (man there ain't many chicks in karate classes I can tell you.) It wasn't for disipline (not that I was real disiplined!!!)

I was just curious and well it struck a nerve. Funny thing was, most of the guys in class had guns themsevles. Even John Chu.

Deaf

mozzandherb

01-27-2009, 01:13 AM

Karate Kid when I was 6 did it for mehttp://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

Ronin74

01-27-2009, 02:50 AM

Okay, this might sound really bizzare, so bear with me.

Like a lot of us (I was probably four or five), I found myself entranced watching the old martial arts flicks of the 70's. From the 36th Chamber to Enter the Dragon, I had a blast watching them with my dad.

I had an older cousin who did karate at the time, and had my ass handed to me by classmates and bullies who knew how to fight. It didn't help that I was shy and really uncoordinated (and not really interested) in the more mainstream sports. I was the kid that NEVER got picked... lol. So self-defense and self-confidence must be a factor.

I'm sure they both of these had some bearing on why I started martial arts, but for the most part, there was always this thought or idea or whatever, in the back of my mind that told me that martial arts was something I needed. Even given all the times I took a whooping at the first karate school I was in, there was something that sort of always called out to me.

Something that I won't ever forget was the year of my junior prom. For a lot high school students, junior prom was like a the first step towards what a real party might be. I chose to forego the prom and instead attended a VERY small karate tournament (it was so small that half the competitors were from our school.)

I guess what I'm saying is that somehow, I knew it was supposed to be a part of my life.

KempoGuy06

01-27-2009, 11:36 AM

Other

I always wanted to do it and never had the time or resources. when i finally got both i got into it and got hooked

B

elder999

01-27-2009, 12:19 PM

Other.

My training started with my dad, and my formal training began when I was 11. I stuck with it, though, because I wanted to be James Bond....:lol:

Joab

01-27-2009, 12:38 PM

Primarily for self defense. Also, I had a friend who was really into it and that sparked my interest, as well as watching the tv series "Kung Fu", the movie, "Billy Jack" and Bruce Lee movies.

searcher

01-27-2009, 04:02 PM

Come on guys. We all know the reason why we started training was for the throngs of women that hang out around MA schools. :lol::lfao::p

mook jong man

01-28-2009, 12:58 AM

Kept me out of the pub .

Himura Kenshin

01-28-2009, 02:17 PM

I got harassed a lot as a kid, so my father taught me karate. The I became very heavily involved in martial arts and now nothing will ever satify my lust for power!

Himura Kenshin

01-28-2009, 02:22 PM

On a side note: I wish more women were involved in the martial arts. I grow tired of meeting girls who think I am wasting time. I think us MA guys could all use a tough girl to reel us in sometimes.

Flying Crane

01-28-2009, 02:30 PM

On a side note: I wish more women were involved in the martial arts. I grow tired of meeting girls who think I am wasting time. I think us MA guys could all use a tough girl to reel us in sometimes.

I met my wife in the dojo. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones...

CoryKS

01-28-2009, 02:37 PM

We got our son into it because he's smallish for his age and we wanted him to be able to defend himself. I signed up after about a year of taking him to classes because it looked like fun.

Have always hated just about every physical activity because they bored me to tears. Weight lifting has to be the most boring activity ever devised. Sports do nothing for me. And like the commercial says, my relationship with running is love/hate. MA has a mental aspect that engages me like nothing else.

Finally, I want to mention that those people who say things like "karate changed my whole life" used to creep me the hell out. They seemed kinda cultish in my eyes. Now I'm one of them, because it has changed my life. Some things can't be explained; they have to be experienced.

searcher

01-28-2009, 10:21 PM

I met my wife in the dojo. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones...

Ditto for me. Been together for 9 years.

Himura Kenshin

01-30-2009, 11:19 AM

Ditto for me. Been together for 9 years.

I'm still young,hopefully I might get to have the same luck you and Crane have had. :)

astrobiologist

01-30-2009, 11:42 AM

I started when I was 5 so things were kind of different in my mind back then. I had seen a lot of martial arts movies since my father was way into them. My father had wrestled in high school, was and is a pretty tough guy, so he got into martial arts when I was 3 or 4. When I was 5 he asked if I wanted to go with him and I was ecstatic. So, my two reasons for starting were:

1.) Thought it sounded cool, mostly from watching a lot of chuck norris, steven seagul, bruce lee movies and such

2.) My Father! He is now the Master at our school, which he and his wife own and operate, and where I am an instructor. I'm hopefully leaving soon for grad school, but I'll still return to train with my father at least once or twice a year if I can afford to.

Touch Of Death

01-30-2009, 03:51 PM

I do it for the Chicks.Originaly this was da plan.
Sean

Josh Oakley

02-03-2009, 10:20 PM

I started when I was 5. At this point it's one of the major defining factors in my life.

Ninebird8

02-03-2009, 11:46 PM

It has evolved over the last 32 years I have been training. At first, after 4 years of wrestling in high school, it was my pre - ADD diagnosis times of maintaining equilibrium and becoming less anal......I have always been active and use to get in trouble in school making straight As and getting bad act marks. This cured it before I got to college. I was also small and needed to defend myself, and love the way kung fu would study animals for years and develop fighting styles, it appealed to my intellect. Also, always wanted a Master's degree in the martial arts, and a Master's in Finance, and got both of them in my mid to late 40s!!!

As far as chicks, none of my two ex wives and one current wife find it fascinating, and one ex and two kids are Asian and half Asian respectively. I find most chicks either are intimidated, figure we are violent, or do not trust any man who would purposely hurt himself like that!! Luckily, I haved studied Yang tai chi the last 12 years so I can either be Tai Chi Mike or Kung fu Mike.

Don't know.....kung fu will never leave you no matter how hard you treat it....LOL!!!

Daniel Sullivan

02-04-2009, 03:59 PM

Took it up as a kid to deal with schoolyard bullies. Self defense and learning to fight.

Daniel

Raynac

02-04-2009, 05:25 PM

I really just liked the idea of improving myself, knowing that I was learning how to better control my body and others.

orginally going in i also wanted to learn ways to defend my friends, because at that time I assumed i was invincble. even though im yet to be in a real fight, I know different now. so Im now learning to defend my friends and me.